This weekend’s UFC Fight Night event has undergone a big change, literally.
Heavyweight Kennedy Nzechukwu pulled out of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 65 bout against Martin Buday due to injury. Now, newcomer Uran Satybaldiev will step in to fight Buday on short notice.
The UFC announced the news on Thursday night. Nzechukwu’s injury wasn’t specified. UFC on ESPN 65 (ESPN, ESPN+) takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Satybaldiev (9-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) comes to the promotion with an impressive undefeated record that includes six TKO/KO wins and one submission victory. He’s only gone the distance twice in his professional MMA career. “Gorilla” leaves the LFA light heavyweight title to join the UFC. He’ll be moving up a weight class for his debut with the promotion.
Buday (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) was last seen in action in June, when he defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in a close, split decision. Prior to that, he was coming off a TKO loss to fan-favorite heavyweight Shamil Gaziev.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 65.
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